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Apple iPad 2 Review: What You Need to Know!
Apple iPad 2 Launch!
Hello techies and Apple lovers! Today, Apple CEO Steve Jobs announced the official iPad 2, successor of the first reading tablet by Apple. Apple's first iPad had reasonably great sales, approximately 15 million sold in a nine month period so we shall see what the iPad 2 brings. Steve Jobs also poked fun at other competing tablets built using Google's Android system. Here is everything you need to know about the specs and changes in the iPad 2 if you decide this is your next big purchase!
iPad 2 release date: March 11th, 2011
Same Price: $499
Main Change 1: iPad got Thin!
Yes ladies and gentlemen, the iPad 2 has lost a considerable amount of weight. Don't be alarmed when it's svelte body 8.8mm is revealed to us on the 11th. Although the resolution and the 9.7 inch screen size has stayed the same, the iPad is now 33 percent thinner! It's actually thinner than my iPhone 4, believe that boggling miracle! It also weighs less, now at a mere 1.3 pounds! A baby could lift it and then proceed to check it's E*Trade stocks!
Change 2: Spankin' New CPU!
The original Apple iPad used Apple's A4, which is what is used on the iPhones and iPod Touches. The iPad 2 will be getting the brand spankin new A5, which features a dual-core processor. Jobs says the battery life remains the same (ten hours) but the performance will be on another level: Expect nine times the graphics power of the old iPad!
iPad 2 Change 3: Cameras!
The new iPad 2 now features front and back facing cameras. The front sensor is now ready for FaceTime convos! Yay for long-distance relationships! They also talked about a new app designed especially for the iPad 2 called "Photo Booth". They will also offer an improved version of iMovie (used for video editing) for 5 bucks!
Change 4: Smarty Party Colors & Covers!
The iPad 2 will now be available in either black or white bezel. We all know which one I'm gunning for. Now my iPad can match my white car!
Apple also created a new custom case for the iPad 2, and it's quite a change. You can actually fold the case into itself to create a small "stand" and it can attach to the display by magnets. Woorah, a stand! They offer the case in a polyurethane for 39 dollars or a leather case for 69. The Apple case is a genius in that it'll recognize and "wake" when the iPad opens and puts it to sleep when it's closed!
iPad 2 Change 6: HDMI + Extras!
You can now play your iPad on your High Definition TV! The iPad 2 supports an HDMI using a $39 adaptor.
The iPad 2 will be using a slightly changed operating system. Although it is just a slight upgrade, it will feature a faster JavaScript engine (Nitro), iTunes Home Sharing, AirPlay streaming improvements and choice for the iPad switch: You can now either use it for mute or screen lock.
Overall, yes the iPad 2 will be FASTER!
